SYSTEMATIC REVIEW article
Front. Nutr.
Sec. Sport and Exercise Nutrition
Volume 12 - 2025 | doi: 10.3389/fnut.2025.1579024
This article is part of the Research TopicAdaptive Eating Behaviors and Energy Intake: Coping Strategies and Their Impact on Health and PerformanceView all 3 articles
Comparing Exercise Modalities During Caloric Restriction: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis on Body Composition
Provisionally accepted
- 1Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China
- 2Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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Background: In recent years, caloric restriction (CR), intermittent fasting (IF), and the ketogenic diet (KD) have gained popularity as primary dietary interventions for improving body composition. While these approaches offer benefits, both IF and KD have been associated with various adverse effects. Although CR is generally devoid of significant side effects, it may lead to reductions in lean body mass. To mitigate this, CR combined with exercise (CR+EX) has become a preferred strategy for maintaining overall health. Although prior studies have examined caloric restriction with exercise, direct comparisons between specific exercise modalities in a caloric deficit remain unclear, necessitating a network meta-analysis approach. This study summarizes the literature on CR combined with exercise to identify which exercise regimen, when paired with CR, yields the most favorable outcomes. The findings will provide valuable recommendations for individuals seeking to maintain or improve body composition through CR+EX. Methods: A systematic review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines, covering literature from the inception of databases up to September 2024. Results: The ranking of interventions for weight loss was as follows: HA > MA > LA > MM > HM > CR > LR > MR > HR > CON; BMI reduction: LA > MM > HA > MA > HR > CR > HM > MR > CON; Fat mass reduction: LA > HA > HM > MA > MR > LR > HR > CR > MM > CON; Body fat percentage reduction: HA > MM > LR > HR > MR > HM > MA > LA > CR > CON; Lean body mass preservation: CON > MM > MR > LR > HR > MA > LA > HM > HA > CR. In summary, LR+CR, MA+CR and MR+CR are at an advantageous level in improving various indicators. Conclusion: Combining moderate- and low-intensity resistance or aerobic exercise with caloric restriction optimizes fat loss while preserving lean body mass, making it a superior strategy for body composition improvement.
Keywords: exercise 1, Caloric restriction 2, Weight 3, Body Fat 4, Lean Body Mass 5
Received: 18 Feb 2025; Accepted: 23 Apr 2025.
Copyright: © 2025 Xie, Gu, Li, Zhang and Hei. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
* Correspondence: Yang Hei, Seoul National University, Seoul, 151-742, Republic of Korea
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